Separable container for storage of plural articles

Abstract

A separable container for storing a plurality of articles is formed from a pair of partially enclosed members arranged in adjacent relationship. A third member is secured to the first and second members so as to form with the first member a first walled enclosure and with the second member a second walled enclosure, each for storing a plurality of articles. A line of perforations arranged in association with the third member enables separating the first and second walled enclosures from each other. The separable container is particularly advantageous in enabling a retailer to sell less than a total quantity of stored articles within the original container, such as cigarette packs and the like.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A container for storing a plurality of articles, said container comprising first and second members arranged in adjacent relationship, each of said first and second members including a configuration of only a portion of a carton and having a partially open top in combination with a partially open rear and a partially open front, and a third member secured to said first and second members overlying said partially open top, and said partially open rear and said partially open front, said third member forming with said first member a first walled enclosure and forming with said second member a second walled enclosure each for storing a plurality of articles, said first and second walled enclosures each including a bottom wall, a top wall, a pair of spaced apart end walls, a front wall and a rear wall, said bottom wall and said pair of spaced apart end walls formed by said first and second members, a portion of said front wall and said rear wall formed by said third member, wherein at least one of said partially open front and said partially open rear of said first and second members comprises a flap extending from said bottom wall and which is unconnected to said spaced apart end walls and separating means in association with said third member for separating said first walled enclosure from said second walled enclosure. 
     
     
       2. The container of claim 1, wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
       3. The container of claim 1, wherein said first walled enclosure and said second walled enclosure are of substantially equal size. 
     
     
       4. The container of claim 1, wherein said first, second and third members are constructed of separate blanks of substantially rigid or semi-rigid, self-supporting material. 
     
     
       5. The container of claim 1, wherein said container comprises a cigarette carton for storing said plurality of articles comprising cigarettes arranged in a plurality of packs. 
     
     
       6. The container of claim 1, wherein said third member has a U-shaped profile. 
     
     
       7. A cigarette carton for storing a plurality of cigarette packs, said carton comprising first and second members arranged in adjacent relationship, each of said first and second members including a configuration of only a portion of a carton and having a partially open top in combination with a partially open rear and a partially open front, and a third member secured to said first and second members overlying said partially open top, and said partially open rear and said partially open front, said third member forming with said first member a first walled enclosure and forming with said second member a second walled enclosure each for storing a plurality of cigarette packs, said first and second members forming bottom walls and spaced apart end walls of said first and second walled enclosures, said third member forming top walls, a portion of front walls and rear walls of said first and second walled enclosures, wherein at least one of said partially open front and said partially open rear of said first and second members comprises a flap extending from said bottom wall and which is unconnected to said spaced apart end walls and separating means in association with said third member for separating said first walled enclosure from said second walled enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The carton of claim 7, wherein said separating means comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
       9. The carton of claim 7, wherein said first walled enclosure and said second walled enclosure are of substantially equal size. 
     
     
       10. The carton of claim 7, wherein said first, second and third members are constructed of separate blanks of substantially rigid or semi-rigid, self-supporting material. 
     
     
       11. The carton of claim 7, wherein said third member has a U-shaped profile.